Best Over-Ear Headphones

over the ear headphones apple-ear headphones typically provide better battery longevity than earbuds. They also offer superior sound cancellation.

Sony's WH1000XM5s have the best over-ear headphones that feature wireless technology. They sound fantastic with a bass-heavy, rich sound that allows vocals and earbuds other instruments to shine. With active noise cancellation (ANC) on, they last over 40 hours on a single charge.

Focal Bathys Wireless

The Focal Bathys wireless are an audiophile-grade entry into the popular premium Bluetooth headphone segment which has been dominated for years by Bose. Focal's reputation for making the most high-quality speakers available meant that it wasn't able to cut back to compete. So it opted to build its own set of earbuds with built-in ANC, using the same transducers and amplifiers found in its flagship products.

The result is a pair that not only provides top-quality performance, but also feels luxurious and robust. Focal reduced the size and weight from its premium headphones to make these lightweight headphones more comfortable for travel and still use magnesium for the yokes to keep them light. The design is sleek and stylish, with a a circular, "skeletonised", design similar to Focal's high-end Focal celestee headphones. LED backlit Focal logos are on the sides of the headphones and actually glow.

When paired with your device, they operate on the most recent Bluetooth v5.1 technology with support for SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive, and an inbuilt DAC that can support up to 24-bit/192kHz playback. The ear cups fold flat for convenient storage, and the cable can be detachable to use with other devices that lack Bluetooth like many cell phones.

For true audio nerds the headphones can be used in DAC mode, which bypasses internal processing and produces superior sound quality than the majority of Bluetooth headphones with their built-in DAC. Focal declined to reveal the specific DAC they used, but when tested with a high-quality portable DAC/headphone amp, the Bathys delivered great results--including better-than-CD-quality resolution, tight bass, and an open, airy midrange.

The Focal Bathys were designed to be used on planes, in noisy environments, and many other locations. However the DAC mode makes them perfect for more critical listening. The Bathys are a great alternative to the closed-back headphones, which are tuned for bass. These would make an excellent gift for anyone who is an audiophile on your list.

JBL Tune 760NC

The JBL Tune 760NC is a lightweight, comfortable pair of headphones with active noise cancellation. They offer a deep bass profile which adds depth to your music, and they have a long battery life for listening sessions. They also have a sturdy build that is ideal for commutes and travel however they can be uncomfortable during long listening sessions because of their tight fit.

The headphones come with a decent set of controls on the ear cups which allow you to control your music and call settings. They include buttons for volume up down, power, and ANC on/off. The buttons are surrounded with an LED-like area and you can tap it to alter the light display. The headphones are comfortable to fit and are well-padded however, they are quite tight on your head, and may be uncomfortable for listeners who wear glasses.

JBL's Active Noise Cancellation technology reduces ambient noise by analyzing and interpreting the sounds that are coming from outside of the headphone. Then, it inverts these sounds and cancels out, resulting a quieter listening experience. This allows you listen at lower volume and prevents the aches and fatigue of your ears. The headphones have a built-in microphone, which lets you make hands-free phone calls and activate voice assistants.

These headphones are compatible with the majority of Bluetooth devices, including your computer and mobile phones. These headphones are compatible with the majority of PS4 and Xbox One Controllers for receiving audio however they are not able to communicate with other players. The USB port lets you charge them and play audio through your computer.

The JBL 760NCs were designed to be portable, with a compact foldable design that makes them easy to carry to wherever you on the go. The JBL 760NCs feature an inbuilt battery which can last for 40 continuous hours and come with noise cancellation technology to block out any distracting sounds. They can connect to two Bluetooth devices at once and you won't have to be unable to keep track of time when switching from watching a movie on your tablet to making a phone call.

Skullcandy Riff Wireless

Skullcandy Riff wireless over ear headphones 2 are a pair of in-ear Bluetooth headphones that offer what people would expect from Bluetooth headphones. They provide a reasonable price point, all-day battery life, an additional aux cable for backup, and peace of mind with Tile technology for finding. It has a simple control set on the earcups, and can connect both wired and wireless devices. The Riff Wireless headphones come with a great companion application that lets you alter the sound quality to decrease the delay in video and audio when paired with computers or a smart TV and setup multi-device pairing.

These headphones are very comfortable and have a cushioned headband. They are designed for commute and travel and can fold up to be easily stored in backpacks or bags. They have a plasticky build quality, but they are quite sturdy and provide a solid click when you move or bend them. They don't have noise cancellation which can be a challenge for some users, but they block out the low noise of buses and passengers chatter.

These headphones have decent sound quality, especially considering their price. The midranges are not as luscious as some of the more expensive headphones, but they still have good detail at most volume levels. The bass is strong and punchy, while the highs are a bit soft, but not too loud. They are excellent for rock and pop but they may not be the best option for genres that feature full, deep bass.

In comparison to the earlier version of these headphones the Riff Wireless 2 come with more features. They have an unison sound profile, which might appeal to some users. They also have superior microphone and can be used with multiple devices. They also have a longer battery life and can handle a higher volume.

They're an excellent pair of headphones, but do not offer the same degree of comfort as other Skullcandy models, such as the Hesh 3 Wireless. They're still a solid option for most people, but they aren't the best choice for intense use, and they can fall off during high-intensity training.

Razer Opus

The Opus is the first effort by Razer to create a headphone that is a lifestyle. It's a great product. Its market is likely to be a lot broader than gamers and offers a quality that's comparable to top-of-the-line models from Sony and Bose at a reasonable price.

The design is more restrained than Razer standards: no RGB lighting or trademark green accents as well as the Tri-Snake logo is not to be seen. The headset is more like any other Bluetooth headphone, with semicircle hinges that fold flat and slide over the earcups, forming an adjustable, comfortable headband. The headsets are lightweight and more portable than the majority of gaming headphones, weighing just 265g when folded.

On the right earcup are onboard controls. The power and track control buttons are near a multi-function switch which is recessed into it and doubles as a noise cancelling button. The controls are easy to use and responsive, and they functioned as advertised in my tests.

The Opus bass is an energizing, well-rounded sound with clarity and depth that you won't find in many budget headphones. It's not as full as Bose's Extra Bass headphones, but it still exceeds expectations for headphones in the $200 price point. The mids are solid and vocals as well as the lead instruments be heard clearly with good clarity. I did notice a little lack of clarity in the highs, but changing the EQ to the Vocal setting fixed the issue.

As an added bonus as a bonus, you'll find an 3.5mm analog cable as well as a USB-C to-A adapter inside the case, as well as an audio jack for airplanes that is standard for those who haven't switched to all-cable audio. It's a small but welcome addition to make it easier to use headphones when traveling.

As with other THX-certified products such as the Opus performed well in my tests. I was able to walk around town without having increase the volume to overcome ambient sound, and I never felt as if I had to turn my music up to hear it. That's the kind of quality that will help you avoid hearing loss as a result of excessive exposure to high-frequency frequencies.